The future of former Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley looks set to become one of the key transfer stories of the upcoming January window, with Sky Sports reporting that Marseille are preparing talks with Brighton over a permanent deal.
O’Riley, now 25, has been flourishing during his loan spell in Ligue 1, impressing both domestically and in Europe. Marseille, who secured the Danish international on loan without an option or obligation to buy, are now determined to strike a deal early and avoid losing ground to other interested clubs across Europe’s major leagues. The French side want him permanently in January, and reports suggest head coach Roberto De Zerbi views O’Riley as a uniquely versatile and technically elite midfielder, the type of player he hopes to build around.
For Celtic, who sold O’Riley to Brighton for around £25 million upfront in the summer of 2023, the situation is more than a passing curiosity. Multiple reports at the time of the transfer confirmed that Celtic inserted a sell-on clause, believed to be a percentage of any future transfer fee Brighton receives. Although the exact percentage has never been officially disclosed by either club, estimates circulated in supporter and media circles have ranged between 10% and 15%, with some suggestions that the clause applies to profit rather than the full fee. Whatever the precise terms, any substantial sale of O’Riley will send fresh money into Celtic’s bank account.
And a substantial deal is precisely what Marseille appear to be preparing for. O’Riley’s form in France has been consistently impressive, with standout performances in the Champions League against Ajax and Real Madrid, as well as a man-of-the-match showing against Metz. He has also shone in Ligue 1, covering more ground than any Marseille player in crunch fixtures against Real Madrid (11.9km) and Paris Saint-Germain (11.3km). His work-rate, intelligence, tactical awareness and ability to play both as a No.8 and a No.10 have reportedly convinced De Zerbi that he is the type of midfielder Marseille can build around long-term.
Brighton, for their part, are believed to be open to discussions given the growing interest in O’Riley from clubs across the top five leagues. Marseille’s urgency to move early reflects concerns that the midfielder’s rising profile could trigger wider competition, and a more expensive auction, if they wait until the summer.
From Celtic’s perspective, the timing could hardly be better. The club has faced criticism for a lack of major spending in recent windows, despite holding significant cash reserves. A fresh influx generated from an O’Riley sell-on clause could strengthen the hand of Wilfried Nancy, should the MLS-winning coach complete his expected move to Glasgow in the coming days. Even in the scenario where Celtic do not directly reinvest the funds, the financial gain will add further stability to a club that has repositioned itself over the last few years through structured player trading.
Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Olympique de Marseille v Paris St Germain – Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France – September 22, 2025
Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi celebrates after the match with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Matt O’Riley REUTERS/Manon Cruz
More importantly for Celtic supporters, O’Riley’s rise offers a reminder of the club’s continued ability to develop and enhance talent before selling for premium value. His journey, from a £1.5m signing from MK Dons to a potential multi-club bidding war in Europe, is another example of Celtic finding players with room to grow and turning them into elite performers.
The next few weeks will determine whether Marseille can strike the deal they want, but one thing is certain: Celtic will be watching the situation closely. And if Matt O’Riley’s trajectory continues, the Scottish champions could be set for another financial boost, long after he last wore the Hoops.
